What A Relief Saints Sweep Doubleheader With 4-1 Victory In 11 In Game 2

ST. PAUL, MNJune 1, 2016

The St. Paul Saints pitching staff was stellar in both games of the doubleheader on Wednesday night on the campus of Missouri Southern State University. In game two starter John Straka was solid for 5.1 innings and the bullpen added 5.2 shutout innings of relief in a 4-1, 11 victory over the Joplin Blasters.

Straka was masterful giving up just one unearned run in the second inning. With two outs Cory Morales singled. Straka attempted to pickoff Morales, but the throw glanced off first baseman Angelo Songco’s glove allowing Morales to advance. Juan Medina followed with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Blasters. Straka would go 5.1 innings allowing one unearned run on four hits while walking one and striking out three.

Caleb Thielbar hurled 3.2 innings of perfect relief striking out three. He threw 38 pitches, 28 for strikes. He got out of a big jam when he entered the game in the sixth. With runners at the corners and one out Thielbar got a huge strikeout and a fly out to end the inning. Chris Peacock tossed a perfect inning of relief to pick up the win and Ryan Rodebaugh allowed one hit in the 11th to pick up his fourth save of the season.

The Saints tied the game in the third when Nate Hanson doubled to leadoff the inning and, with two outs, Willie Argo tripled him home.

In the 11th Argo led off with a walk. Brady Burzynski laid down a bunt that was fielded by pitcher Josh Evans, who threw to second, but the throw was too late. Tanner Vavra followed with a bunt that was once again fielded by Evans. He threw to third, but it glanced off Argo and went into foul territory allowing Argo to score making it 2-1 Saints. Aron Gretz followed with a two-run double to finish the scoring.

The same two teams meet Thursday at 3:00 p.m. in a doubleheader. The Saints send RHP Cody Scarpetta (0-0, 1.80) to the mound in game one and RHP Alec Crawford (0-1, 6.48) in game two. Both games are scheduled for seven innings with game two beginning 30 minutes at the conclusion of game one. Both games can be heard on Club 1220 KLBB.